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Heavenly Father’s Best Gift

A clue bag, the first Christmas told with pictures, and a present we pass to choose our gift for Jesus

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–6
  • Week 52
  • 📅 Sunday, December 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.

I can give Jesus a gift by following Him every day.

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Christmas)
Know the chapters

This week wraps up a whole year in the Old Testament. The manual’s theme comes from Isaiah 25:9: “we have waited for him, and he will save us.” All year, prophets pointed ahead to Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah said “unto us a child is born.” In Micah 5:2, Micah named Bethlehem. Even Christmas decorations can remind us of Him. There’s a star, from Numbers 24:17: “there shall come a Star out of Jacob.” There’s a lamb, from Genesis 22:8: “God will provide himself a lamb.” There’s a shepherd, from Psalm 23:1: “The LORD is my shepherd.” And there’s a light, from Psalm 27:1: “The LORD is my light.”

Then the promises came true. The angel Gabriel visited Mary, in Luke 1:26–38. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn, in Luke 2:1–7. Angels announced His birth to shepherds, who hurried to find Him, in Luke 2:8–20. Later, wise men followed a star and brought Him gifts, in Matthew 2:1–11. In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite promised a night without darkness. It happened just as he said, the night before Jesus was born. See Helaman 14:2–6 and 3 Nephi 1:13–21.

For 4- to 7-year-olds, the Nativity is the heart of the lesson. You tell it from the pictures, and every child joins in from their seat. Open hands mean God’s best gift. Rocking a baby means Jesus is born. Arms up means the angels. The big idea is simple. Jesus is Heavenly Father’s gift to us, and we can give Him a gift back. At baptism, your 7-year-olds will soon promise to always remember Jesus and keep His commandments. Keeping that promise every day is one of the best gifts anyone can give Him.

Tiny class, or a room full of visiting cousins? The story and Pass the Present work for any size. Cousins can join in from the very first scene. Keep the ending quiet and reverent. It’s a lovely day to share your testimony of the Savior.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:1–20 and Isaiah 9:6. Wrap any small box as a present. Tell the story in Teach Mode. Teach the Isaiah 9:6 motions and play Pass the Present. End by asking each child to whisper one gift they’ll give Jesus this year. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” The clue bag becomes hand shapes, and the present becomes invisible.

What to bring2 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read Luke 2:1–20 and Isaiah 9:6.
  2. Put the star, light, lamb and small gift in the bag so no one can see inside. Wrap the empty box.

If your class is wild

  • Holiday sugar and new toys are real. If kids arrive bouncing, start with the Christmas Freeze wiggle. Then open the clue bag.
  • Echo lines are easy for little ones. Say a line in a whisper, and wait for the whisper to come back.
  • Use a whisper as today’s attention signal. Rock a pretend baby and whisper, “Shh, He’s sleeping.” Everyone copies and gets still.
  • In Pass the Present, hand it to the next person and never toss it. When the music stops, only the person holding it talks.

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Christmas Clue Bag

3 min

Everyday Christmas things become clues that point to Jesus.

  1. SAY“Inside this bag are Christmas things. Each one is a clue about Jesus!”
  2. Let a child pull out one thing at a time.
  3. The star led the wise men. The light is “The LORD is my light.” The lamb means Jesus is the Lamb of God. The gift is Jesus, Heavenly Father’s gift.
  4. SAY“Christmas is full of clues about Jesus. Today we celebrate the night He was born!”
🌪️ Only the child you call reaches in the bag. Everyone else sits on their hands and whispers a guess.

Class screen: 🎄 Every clue points to Jesus! · ⭐ Star · 💡 Light · 🐑 Lamb · 🎁 Gift

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A bag with 3 or 4 Christmas things: a star, a light (a flashlight or an ornament), a toy lamb or sheep, and a small wrapped gift

Christmas Clue Shapes

  1. SAY“Let’s make Christmas clues with our hands! Each one reminds us of Jesus.”
  2. Everyone makes a star with spread fingers, like the star that led the wise men. Then wiggle fingers like twinkly lights: “The LORD is my light.”
  3. Baa softly, because Jesus is the Lamb of God. Then hold out a pretend present, because Jesus is Heavenly Father’s gift.
  4. SAY“Christmas is full of clues about Jesus. Today we celebrate the night He was born!”
2. Story

Story: The First Christmas

7 min

You tell a true scripture story with pictures. The whole class joins in from their seats.

  1. SAY“This is a true story from the scriptures. Sometimes I’ll say a line, and you say it back to me.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. When a line shows at the bottom, say it first. Then the class says it back.
  3. At scene 4, lower your voice and let the room get very quiet. Ask, “Who is the baby?” Jesus, Heavenly Father’s Son!
  4. After scene 7, ask, “How do you think the shepherds felt when they found Jesus?”
🌪️ If the room drifts, rock a pretend baby and whisper, “Shh, He’s sleeping.” Rocking arms are listening arms.

Class screen: 👶 The First Christmas · 🔁 Say it back! · 👶 Jesus is born!

3. Wiggle break

Christmas Freeze

2 min

A short dance-and-freeze burns off holiday energy using the story’s motions.

  1. SAY“Stand up! Dance while the music plays. When it stops, freeze and do the motion I call.”
  2. Tap Freeze Dance. At each stop, call a motion: arms up for “Glory to God!” rock a baby for “Jesus is born!” or open hands for “God’s best gift!”
  3. Play four or five rounds. End on “Jesus is born!” and sit down softly.
🌪️ Dance in your own space bubble. If you bump someone, your next freeze is sitting down.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 💃 Dance! Freeze! Do the motion! · 🙌 👶 🎁

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6

3 min

Isaiah’s promise, said with motions, ties the whole year of prophets to the baby in the manger.

  1. SAY“Isaiah wrote these words hundreds of years before the first Christmas.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it slowly. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Then let a reader read it alone.
  3. Say it three ways: a lullaby whisper, a normal voice, then like the angel choir.
  4. Ask, “Who is the child?” Jesus! Then ask, “Who gave Him to us?” Heavenly Father!

Class screen: 👶 Unto us a child is born! · Isaiah 9:6

5. Game

Pass the Present

6 min

Kids practice giving Jesus a gift back by choosing a real gift they can give this week.

  1. SAY“Heavenly Father gave us His best gift, Jesus. What gift can we give Jesus back?”
  2. Sit in a circle and tap Hot Potato. Pass the present while the music plays. At the buzz, the holder picks a gift for Jesus from the screen.
  3. Everyone shows the gift with their hands. Praying hands for prayer, a hug for kindness, a handshake for sharing.
  4. Play five or six rounds.
  5. SAY“When you’re baptized, you promise to always remember Jesus. Keeping that promise is a gift all year.”
🌪️ Hand it to the next person, never toss it. If someone gets it twice, they pick a friend who hasn’t had a turn.
🥔 Hot Potato (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🎁 What gift will I give Jesus? · Pray 🙏 · Be kind 💗 · Share 🤝 · Forgive 🕊️ · Tell the truth ✅ · Help at home 🧹

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: An empty small box, wrapped like a present, to pass around

Pass the Invisible Present

  1. SAY“Heavenly Father gave us His best gift, Jesus. What gift can we give Jesus back?”
  2. Hold out a pretend box and tap Hot Potato. Pass the invisible present hand to hand while the music plays.
  3. At the buzz, the holder peeks inside and picks a gift from the screen. Everyone shows it: praying hands, a hug for kindness or a handshake for sharing.
  4. Play five or six rounds.
  5. SAY“When you’re baptized, you promise to always remember Jesus. Keeping that promise is a gift all year.”
6. Testimony

A Gift for Jesus

3 min

End quiet and reverent, with each child holding one gift to give Jesus this week.

  1. SAY“Let’s be as still as the night Jesus was born. Fold your arms.”
  2. Invite each child to whisper the gift they chose. Then share a sentence or two about how you know Jesus is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift.
  3. Show the My Gift for Jesus challenge on the screen. Then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 💝 Jesus is Heavenly Father’s best gift · What gift will I give Him?

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Nativity Edition

4 minBONUS

A Heads Up–style review of today’s story. The picture shows with each word, so pre-readers can play too.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Give clues, but don’t say the word.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Everyone else gives clues from their seats.
  3. Motions and sounds make great clues. Baa for Sheep, twinkle fingers for Star, rocking arms for Manger. Tilt down for “got it” and up to pass.
  4. Give each turn about 30 seconds. Pair a 4- or 5-year-old guesser with an older buddy who whispers help.
🌪️ Go around the circle with one clue each, so nobody shouts over anybody.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues. Don’t say the word!

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Shepherds versus Team Wise Men!”
  2. Split the class in two, mixing big and little kids. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  3. Read each question and the picture choices out loud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  4. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point. Cheer for both teams.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

The First Christmas

Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–11 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 📜⏳ Prophets promised: Jesus is coming!

    For a long, long time, prophets like Isaiah and Micah made a promise. Heavenly Father would send His Son! People waited and waited. Heavenly Father was getting His very best gift ready.

    🙌

  2. 👼👩 An angel visits Mary

    One day the angel Gabriel came to a young woman named Mary. He told her not to be afraid. She would have a baby. He would be the Son of God. And His name would be Jesus.

    🙌 Say it back in a whisper: “A baby!”

  3. 🚶🚪 A long trip, and no room at the inn

    Mary and Joseph traveled all the way to little Bethlehem. The town was so full! There was no room for them at the inn. So they stayed in a place where animals were kept.

    🙌 Knock three times on your knee. Say it back: “No room!”

  4. 👶🌾 Baby Jesus is born!

    That night, Baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him in soft cloths. She laid Him in a manger, a box that holds hay for animals. Heavenly Father’s Son had come!

    🙌 Rock a baby. Say it back softly: “Jesus is born.”

  5. 🐑👼 Angels tell the shepherds!

    Out in the fields, shepherds watched their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared, and bright light shone all around! A Savior was born that very day! Then the whole sky filled with angels praising God.

    🙌 Arms up high. Say it back: “Glory to God!”

  6. 🏃🐑 The shepherds hurry to Jesus

    The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. They found Baby Jesus lying in the manger, just like the angel said. Then they told everyone the happy news!

    🙌

  7. ⭐🎁 Wise men bring gifts to Jesus

    Later, wise men followed a bright star to find young Jesus. They knelt and gave Him their best gifts. Heavenly Father gave us Jesus. And we can give Jesus gifts too, by loving and following Him.

    🙌

Key verse

Isaiah 9:6 ↗
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given”
In kid words: A baby was born for us! Jesus is Heavenly Father’s gift to us.
🙌 “For unto us” = point to everyone in the room · “a child is born” = rock a baby in your arms · “unto us a son is given” = hold out both hands like you’re giving a present

More verses

Luke 2:11 ↗
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
In kid words: Today, in Bethlehem, a Savior is born for you: Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 25:9 ↗
“we have waited for him, and he will save us”
In kid words: We waited and waited for Jesus, and He will save us.
Psalm 27:1 ↗
“The LORD is my light”
In kid words: Jesus is my light, like a bright Christmas light.
Psalm 23:1 ↗
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
In kid words: Jesus takes care of me like a shepherd takes care of sheep.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔‍♂️ Joseph
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🧑‍🌾 Shepherd
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🔭 Wise Men
  • 🎁 Present
  • 🏨 Inn
  • 👑 Crown
  • 💡 Light
  • 🎄 Christmas Tree
  • 🕯️ Candle
  • 📜 Isaiah
Clues for each word
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother
  • Joseph: He took care of Mary and Baby Jesus
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Manger: Baby Jesus’s first bed, full of hay
  • Angel: Told the shepherds the good news
  • Shepherd: Takes care of sheep in the fields
  • Sheep: Baa! Fluffy and white
  • Star: Led the wise men to Jesus
  • Wise Men: Followed the star and brought gifts
  • Present: Something you give with love
  • Inn: It had no room for Mary and Joseph
  • Crown: The wise men came looking for the new King
  • Light: “The LORD is my…”
  • Christmas Tree: We decorate it in December
  • Candle: A small flame that glows in the dark
  • Isaiah: Prophet who said, “Unto us a child is born”
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Who came to tell Mary about Baby Jesus?
    • A. 👼 An angel
    • B. 🐟 A fish
    • C. 👑 A king
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👼 An angel The angel Gabriel visited Mary (Luke 1:26–38).

  2. In what town was Jesus born?
    • A. 🏙️ A giant city
    • B. 🏘️ Bethlehem
    • C. 🏝️ An island
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🏘️ Bethlehem Little Bethlehem, just like Micah promised!

  3. Where did Mary lay Baby Jesus?
    • A. ⛵ In a boat
    • B. 🏰 In a castle
    • C. 🌾 In a manger
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🌾 In a manger There was no room in the inn, so He slept in a manger (Luke 2:7).

  4. Who heard the angels in the fields at night?
    • A. 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds
    • B. 🎣 Fishermen
    • C. 👷 Builders
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds The shepherds were watching their sheep (Luke 2:8).

  5. What led the wise men to Jesus?
    • A. 🗺️ A map
    • B. ⭐ A star
    • C. 🔦 A flashlight
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ⭐ A star The star went before them until it stopped over Jesus (Matthew 2:9).

  6. Isaiah said, “Unto us a child is…”
    • A. 😴 sleepy
    • B. 🔍 lost
    • C. 👶 born
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 👶 born Isaiah 9:6. He knew about Jesus hundreds of years early!

  7. Who is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift to us?
    • A. 🧸 A new toy
    • B. ✨ Jesus Christ
    • C. ❄️ Snow
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ✨ Jesus Christ Heavenly Father sent His Son to be our Savior.

  8. What gift can we give Jesus?
    • A. 💗 Following Him every day
    • B. 🪨 A shiny rock
    • C. 🙅 Nothing
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 💗 Following Him every day Being kind, praying and keeping our promises are gifts He loves.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Away in a Manger Children’s Songbook, p. 42

    Sing it softly right after the story, while everyone rocks a pretend baby. Find it ↗

  • He Sent His Son Children’s Songbook, p. 34

    Tells how Heavenly Father showed His love by sending Jesus, today’s big idea. Find it ↗

  • Stars Were Gleaming Children’s Songbook, p. 37

    A gentle Christmas song that fits the star and the calm ending. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

My Gift for Jesus

Draw the gift you chose in class. Put it where you’ll see it every day, like the fridge or your bedroom door. Each day this week, give Jesus your gift. Then tell your family how you did it.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we heard the story of the first Christmas. We learned that prophets promised Jesus would come long before He was born. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Jesus is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift to us, and each child chose a gift to give Jesus. Ask your child, “What gift did you choose? How will you give it this week?” Next Sunday we start the New Testament!

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

📖 Old Testament Look-Back · 4 min

  1. SAY“This year we learned about lots of prophets who pointed to Jesus.”
  2. Name a few, like Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Micah and Malachi. Do a quick seated motion for each, like hammering the ark, parting the sea or writing a scroll.
  3. Ask: “What was your favorite Old Testament story this year?”
  4. SAY“Next week we start the New Testament. It’s all about Jesus’s life!”

🔍 Christmas Clue Match · 4 min

  1. Read these short verses one at a time. Psalm 23:1: “The LORD is my shepherd.” Psalm 27:1: “The LORD is my light.” Numbers 24:17: “there shall come a Star out of Jacob.” Genesis 22:8: “God will provide himself a lamb.”
  2. After each one, kids show the picture with their hands. Make a shepherd’s staff, a light, a star or a lamb.
  3. Ask one at a time: “How is Jesus like a shepherd?” “Like a light?” “Like a star?” “Like a lamb?”

🎄 Christmas Traditions That Point to Jesus · 3 min

  1. Ask: “What does your family do at Christmas?”
  2. For each tradition, ask, “How could this help us remember Jesus?” Lights remind us He’s the Light. Gifts remind us of Heavenly Father’s gift. Serving is doing what Jesus did.
  3. Invite each child to share one new tradition idea with their family, like serving a neighbor.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–6 lessons